LT5 Durability, how are they holding up after 16 to 21 years?

[93Rubie]

I just finished reading my (new to me) copy of The Heart of the Beast by Anthony Young. Awesome book. Like Dave McLellan's book Corvette From the Inside, it left me with more questions than I had before I started reading the book. That being said, to all ZR-1 owners or former owners, how is the LT5 engine holding up as it is at least 16 to 21 years old. I mean yes, the engine mechanically is extremely durable I learned that. How are things like oil leaks, seals, gaskets, etc...holding up? Are the valve springs still good at 20 years old?

Also, I understand some LT5 parts are hard to find but not impossible, that being said, I would assume owning a LT5 could potentially be an expensive proposition?

By the way, I'll take a 93 ZR-1 in Ruby Red please...hahaha...maybe someday. Although, I did see one very nice 92 that had a Marc H. 485 package on it for about 20K in VERY nice shape.

To Hib Halverson, if you read this, did you ever get those Z07 springs and bars on your ZR-1? If you did, how does it handle now?

P.S. I'd like to see the new C6 ZR1 try to beat the C4 ZR-1's 24hr+ endurance record using a production crate engine and mostly stock car like the C4 did. I doubt it could. Nothing against the C6 ZR1 but for me it seems that it never had (has) the same fanfare, legacy, reputation, and enthusiasm as what seemed to be present when the C4 ZR-1 came out. (I was like 3 in 1990 so I'll have to let the history books be my guide on this.) I've seen a couple C6 ZR1's but never a C4 ZR-1.

[xfirez51]

Let me suggest you go to zr1.net for your answers.

[Hib Halverson]

(snip)

To Hib Halverson, if you read this, did you ever get those Z07 springs and bars on your ZR-1? If you did, how does it handle now?

Haven't yet. I haven't found a rear spring yet.

Once I get those springs and bars on, the car will handle better but may ride a little more harsh.

[93Rubie]

Haven't yet. I haven't found a rear spring yet.

Once I get those springs and bars on, the car will handle better but may ride a little more harsh.

Sounds good. I've began an informal search for Z07 parts myself. Auto-x gets addicting, granted base suspension w/FX3 is still faster than I am. I think in SCCA B-Stock the C4 has a LOT of speed potential. My most recent auto-x was only my 4th but I was only about 3.5sec. behind the B Stock leader. He was on street tires as was I. Lots of S2000's and Boxster's in B Stock. I could tell where I was losing speed, but I'm still learning. All things being equal at 19 years old my 93 C4 is still a VERY FAST sports car.

Thank you to xfirez51, I did indeed find my answers there. Do ask why I did not think of that, I don't know. Came to the conclusion nothing worse than any other C4, mostly typically dumb stuff like oil sender leaks, pan, cooler lines, etc..., just if a internal engine failure occurred (unlikely) it WILL be more expensive than a L98 or LT1/LT4. Then again if one can afford the price of admission one should be able to afford the upkeep.

[xfirez51]

Rubie,

The LT-5 is incredibly durable. Witness the 24hr Endurance records. In Heart of the Beast,
you'll learn about some of the torture testing. If the motor breaks, it will be because you meant to do that. Marc Haibeck recently did a freshening up of a 200k motor and found that the liners rings were still in good condition. The bottom end is an anvil. With the motor a non-issue, the other ZR-1
problems are C4 issues.

[93Rubie]

Yeah for real, 200hrs for the 90-92 engines peak torque to peak HP, 400 for the 93-95. I learned the other day that the Nissan GT-R engine is dynoed and this includes a 10 minute redline run.... Granted the GT-R is a pretty fast car but not fast and DURABLE.